Carpenter makes his second straight start at hooker. He did well against Scotland. An early throw showed some wobble, but he was spot on with the remainder of his throws.

The American front row features a familiar name in Nick Wallace. He played U20 for Canada and now plays for James Bay. Olive Kilifi is the other exciting new thing in the Eagles front row – he made his debut in November. Phil Thiel is the standard at hooker these days.

Veterans Hubert Buydens and Jason Marshall have worked hard and will provide solid back up from the bench. Given the hot temperatures expected in Sacramento, they’ll get on pretty early in the second half, one imagines. Ray Barkwill is the reserve hooker and continues to be a solid option.

It’s Cudmore and Hotson again. Both had been strong contributors in the previous two games, adding muscle and grit at the breakdown and in the loose. It’s hard to see anyone else taking their spot next year in England.

Up against the beefy American pair of Hayden Smith and Samu Manoa, this should be a battle to watch.

Jon Phelan’s the reserve lock. His size is especially notable in the lineout.

BACK ROW

6Sinclair 8 Ardron 7 Moonlight

This is the first-choice back row for now and the foreseeable future. Sinclair was the recipient of a red card a week ago, but as has been commented across the globe, it was the wrong call. He was a force with ball in hand and threw some ferocious tackles. You can see what playing top-flight rugby week-in, week-out does for a player.

Ardron is growing into the role of both captain and number eight. He’s still guilty at times of trying too much, but his physical talents are unquestionable. It’s a similar story for Moonlight. He needs to get more ball-fetching in his game – how many turnovers has he forced? – but everything else is outstanding.

Indefatigable blindside Todd Clever is the USA’s captain, with sevens man Danny Barrett sliding into number eight in place of the injured Cam Dolan. Scott LaValla will be a big challenge for Moonlight (or is the other way around?).

Kyle Gilmour is again the reserve flanker. He didn’t get on against Scotland but he’s a breakdown grinder and could feature early in the second half, given the fitness challenge Saturday is likely to be.

HALF BACKS

9 Mack 10 Jones

Phil Mack may have played his best-ever game for Canada last weekend. He had an incredible season for the sevens squad but his omission in favour of now-backup Gord McRorie against Japan looked to get his attention. When he’s one, he’s world class. He was that last week. He must cause fits for the USA.

Like Mack, Harry Jones played his best-ever game in red last weekend. He attacked the line, got his centres moving forward and made some breaks himself. He’s in the groove and should be a handful for the Americans.

Mike Petri is maligned by some, but has established himself as the Eagles’ first choice in the nine shirt. Jones will be facing down a familiar face in Shalom Suniula. Like Jones, Suniula has been a key man on the sevens circuit.

The aforementioned McRorie is Mack’s steady back up. He does everything well, but isn’t as explosive a runner as Mack. Nathan Hirayama makes his first fifteens appearance of the year. He struggled with injury all sevens season but has been training with Crowley’s squad for the past month and is itching to be involved (he told me so in Toronto) so he’s as motivated as they come.

CENTRES

12 Braid 13 Hearn

Connor Braid gets his first start at inside centre, an interesting choice. He subbed on at 12 late against the Scots. It’s a position that I’ve thought he was well suited to before; given what a bullocking runner he was on the sevens squad, it’s one he should thrive in. Ciaran Hearn remains Canada’s best attacking back, creating Jeff Hassler’s try last week and will be a handful for opposite number Seamus Kelly.

Partnering the now-regular Kelly is Thretton Palamo, possibly the most intriguing athlete on either side this weekend. The big centre spent much of the last four years playing football for the University of Utah but is apparently back into the rugby frame. He could prove to be a handful.

Nick Blevins was back to his rampaging best against the Scots and is unfortunate to be moved to the bench. But his coach also needs to see Braid as a 12, so it’s as much as a development decision as anything. He was woeful the week before against Japan, so to see him bounce back as he did surely gave Crowley a sigh of relief. He’s a physical, direct runner. He needs to be moving forward before the ball comes to him, otherwise he’s not much use.

BACK THREE

11 Van der Merwe 15 Pritchard 14Hassler

With the injury to Taylor Paris, DTH Van der Merwe makes his return to the starting XV. He was much improved last week coming off the bench in Paris’ place; does he have the fitness to be effective for a whole game? Hassler again showed what a talented finisher he is, taking Hearn’s offload and then overpowering the cover defence. Pritchard remains Canada’s first choice kicker and was much better on the counter attack than against Japan (funny how that’s a regular refrain).

Brett Thompson makes his debut on the wing for the USA, after a sensational season for the sevens squad. Blaine Scully is the other winger and is a imposing physical presence. Full back Chris Wyles is much like Pritchard, know as much for his goal kicking as he is for his tactical nous.

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